i180 choices
 

I have a red i180 (Li-Ion) purchased new from Capital Segway (Washington DC) in 2005. I have peripheral neuropathy in both feet and cannot walk any great distance. We took the Paris Segway tour in October 2005 and I was sold! My wife and I got a lot of use out of ours, but it's still in very good condition, clean, never crashed, etc. The Segway made my life in DC a lot better and I was able to ride around our neighborhood, downtown, etc.

I last rode it in November 2011, then moved with it to Myrtle Beach SC in March of this year. Right before I packed for the move, I noticed the charging lights were not on, but didn't have time to pursue it.

In April I figured out the batteries had stopped charging. Last week I finally had it checked out at the local Segway dealer here in Myrtle Beach. He says it's working properly - he tested it with working batteries - and just needs two new batteries for $2000 to get back on the road. I guess after 6 years of riding, that's reasonable. Segway never said how long the batteries would last.

Because our situation is substantially different here in Myrtle Beach, I'm considering selling the i180. I'm retired now and can't really afford $2K to get it running again, plus the terrain is completely flat here and I can ride a bicycle, even with peripheral neuropathy, and I need the exercise.

The question is whether I should try to sell it as is, with a certification from the dealer that it is AOK, or invest $2K in batteries and sell it for enough to get at least that money back. I have been watching some sales on eBay to get an idea. Shipping charges seem to vary quite a bit, $100 to $300.

I have read the non-conclusive discussions about refurbishing the batteries. I have also seen used batteries on eBay... there's a risk there, too.

Anywa, that's an introduction and I'd be interested in any advice in the battery area. I'd love to have the beast ack on the road, but it has turned into a luxury item for now.

Regards,
-stephen

If you have any questions or concerns regarding battery rebuilding please feel free to contact me at 717-751-2705. You may also consider sourcing a pair of dead NiMH batteries and send them in to us for rebuild. They would cost $750 for the pair to be rebuilt and would give you a good working Segway with about 12mi range to sell. Just offering some options what that you may not have considered.

Repeating what I just posted in another thread:

If you have a friend who has technical expertise and equipment, you might take a look at
http://forums.segwaychat.com/showthr...474#post220474

That sounds strikingly similar to what you experienced.

That is a single-occurrance, so no guarantees. But it could be worth a shot, if you understand the technical situation and real caution that is required.

I have a "theory" as to why this battery condition can happen after a Segway has been plugged in continuously for many months (which is the recommended thing to do) which is apparently your situation, also.